PREGNANT MOTHER’S ASSESSMENT ON HEALTH PROTOCOLS IMPLEMENTATION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Implementing health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial for pregnant women and midwives to
protect mothers and their fetuses from the risk of COVID-19 infection. However, several studies showed a low
proportion of people who implemented adequate preventive behavior. The study aimed to determine pregnant
women's implementation of health protocols and assess midwives' health protocols. The methodology used is
quantitative research with descriptive analysis. Primary data were collected through interviews using a
questionnaire of 156 respondents selected by a simple random sampling method. Data collection was carried out
in November 2020 in Sunggal Subdistrict and Hamparan Perak Subdistrict, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra
Province. The study results show that most pregnant women were 21-35 years were pregnant in the third trimester.
The pregnant women were also educated in secondary school, had health insurance, and were not working. The
implementation of Health protocols for pregnant women during health checks was 85.5 percent categorized as
poor in terms of making no appointment before accessing ANC services and not conducting online consultations.
The health protocol assessment performed by midwives is categorized as good (81.4 percent) which can be seen
in the use of masks, using hand sanitizers, maintaining distance during services, not shaking hands, available hand
washing facilities with soap (CTPS), and using PPE. Recommendations for Midwives are always expected to
provide Information Communication and Education (counseling) to pregnant women regarding the importance of
complying with the COVID-19 health protocol to break the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Keywords: Antenatal care, COVID-19, Health Protocol, Pregnancy